HOPES of a deal to save Darlington Football Club grew last night when administrators announced that at least one workable bid was on the table.

On the eve of the deadline for bids to be made for taking over the Quakers, the legal team controlling the club announced that it was "optimistic" that closure could be avoided.

Administrators Wilson Field told The Northern Echo they expected three serious bids would be tabled before tomorrow's deadline.

But they confirmed that the success of any deal hinges on former chairman George Reynolds compromising on how much money he receives from the rescue deal.

Mr Reynolds, who resigned as chairman after the club was taken into administration, now says he is owed almost £20m. Previously, he said he was owed £14m by the club.

At a meeting with administrators Wilson Field this week, however, Mr Reynolds submitted a new figure, taking the total he claims to be owed to £19.6m.

This makes him the largest unsecured creditor by far, and any deal would need his approval if it was to stand a chance.

It also emerged last night that administrators believe the final bill payable to the Sterling Consortium - the financier which lent money to the club secured on the stadium - may be as high as £5m.

Under the terms of the loan, the Quakers agreed to pay 15 per cent interest on the Sterling cash injection.

Frantic efforts are going on behind the scenes to find bidders willing to take the company out of administration.

It is understood that Irish business tycoon Des Kelly held talks with the administrators in Darlington yesterday.

Mr Kelly, the owner of a Dublin furniture chain, flew in for discussions. His interest has horrified some fans because he plans to install former Carlisle United boss Roddy Collins as manager if he is successful - leaving David Hodgson out in the cold.

David Elliott, of Wilson Field, went out of his way last night to stress his support for Mr Hodgson, the fans' favourite who has done so much to keep the club afloat.

Referring to the charity match organised by Mr Hodgson, which raised around £150,000 last month, he said: "Without David's help there wouldn't even be a club to sell.

"Without David, we couldn't have got this far. He is the best man for this club and we are delighted with what he has done.

"He is a vital part of Darlington Football Club, and as long as we are here that's the way it will be."

He also said that an appeal by The Northern Echo, which asked local business to sponsor a minute of the last home game and raised about £25,000, had been critical to the club's survival.

One definite bidder is a consortium of local businessmen and Darlington Supporters' Trust.

The group is led by lifelong fan and Quakers' associate director Mark Meynell. It went public with its interest at the start of the year.

If successful, it would offer the supporters' trust a seat on the board.

Mr Elliot refused to be drawn on the three serious parties he was talking to, preferring to say: "We believe we have got one workable bid and we are hoping to better that."

Administrator David Field also revealed that the Newcastle Falcons rugby club had approached him for information about the Reynolds Arena.

He said the Premiership side, home to World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson, had been in contact on January 6.

"I am surprised they have not been back in touch with us," he said. "There was an initial inquiry but that has not been discussed further."

Falcons executive director John Parkinson said last night: "We contacted them and asked if we could receive some information, but said that we were not an interested party."

He added: "We just wanted to know what was going on. We took it no further."

Read more about the Quakers here.